World Food Programme Emergency Report 2004
Issued Weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 48 of 26 November


(A) Highlights
(B) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan
(C) East and Central Africa: East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi,
     (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Kenya, (6) Rwanda,
     (7) Somalia, (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Liberia
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Malawi,
     (5) Mozambique, (6) Namibia, (7) Swaziland, (8) Zimbabwe
(F) Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Indonesia
(G) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia,
     (4) Haiti, (5) Nicaragua.


>From David Kaatrud, Director of the Analysis, Assessment and Preparedness
Service (ODA).  Available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page
(www.wfp.org), or by e-mail from Carlo.Scaramella@wfp.org, Chief of the
Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (ODAP).  For information on
resources, donors are requested to contact Valerie.Sequeira@wfp.org at WFP
Rome, telephone +39 06 6513 2009.  Media queries should be directed to
Brenda.Barton@wfp.org, telephone +39 06 6513 2602.  The address of WFP
Headquarters is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, 00148 Rome,
Italy.


A)  Highlights:

- Following the military actions by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and
Government of Sudan (GoS)  forces in and around Talwilah town in North
Darfur on 22 November, all WFP operations were suspended in this area and
staff were evacuated.

- All WFP sub offices in Cote d'Ivoire are open and WFP has been able to
transport commodities without major incident.

- WFP is preparing for emergency interventions after heavy rains in
Somalia.

- Despite ongoing tensions in Haiti, food distributions were not affected,
and the replacement of general food distributions by targeted
distributions in Gonaives could be brought into effect.



B)  Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  The safe release of the three UN hostages working with the UN Joint
Electoral Monitoring Board on Tuesday, 23 November 2004 in Kabul was the
highlight of the week in Afghanistan's humanitarian community.

(b)  Although the overall security situation in the country remained
relatively calm, in the east, missions to Khost province were temporarily
suspended and the Province of Paktika continued to be inaccessible due to
insecurity.  In the west, UN missions and NGOs have been advised not to
travel to five districts in Farah province, also due to insecurity. In the
north, localized fighting in Zari district, of Balkh province, has led to
the suspension of UN missions till further notice.

(c)  During the reporting period, 665,110 beneficiaries received over
5,615 tons of food. Due to heavy rains, road networks in Badakhshan have
deteriorated, hampering food deliveries to Ishkashim. WFP is coordinating
food distribution with the Governor of Ishkashim in order to ensure that
beneficiaries receive their entitlements. A coordination meeting took
place in Kabul to discuss snow removal in order to keep major roads
operational during winter.  Solidarites, UNOPS, MADERA and WFP will direct
this activity.  By the 24th November, over 18,000 tons of mixed food out
of the planned 22,705 tons had been pre-positioned in remote districts
that become inaccessible during winter.

(d)  In preparation of the launch of a five year development program in
Kandahar province, weekly coordination meetings between donors, UN
agencies, NGOs and government counterparts are currently taking place at
the Governor's office.  A brainstorming session was held in Kandahar, to
discuss implementation strategies for the forthcoming launch of the
reforestation project, the 'Greening of Afghanistan Initiative' (GAIN). A
working group, comprising NGOs, UN agencies and government
representatives, chaired by WFP, was established to design, coordinate and
support GAIN projects.

(e)  In Mazari Sharif, a WFP team is on mission in Maimana to conduct
capacity building training for government counterparts and cooperating
partners in project reporting.


C)  East and Central Africa: East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR
Congo, (3)  Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia, (8)
Sudan, (9) Uganda

1)  Burundi

(a)  Demobilization activities for approximately 70,000 combatants from
all former rebel movements and the national army will start on 29
November. It is planned to demobilize the first 10,000 combatants within
the next three months.  WFP will provide food to the three demobilization
centres set up countrywide and the National Commission for Disarmament,
Demobilization, Reinsertion and Reintegration will ensure food management
and distribution.

(b)  Although no major military confrontation was reported last week, acts
of armed banditry continued.  A stronger response by the authorities to
combat crime has been noted in Bujumbura town.

(c)  Between 15 and 21 November, WFP distributed a total of 1,750 tons of
food aid to some 246,900 beneficiaries through different programme
activities.  Special attention was paid to Kirundo province due to its
precarious food security situation and the returning population from
Rwanda during the last few weeks.  Over 1,500 tons of food commodities
have been distributed in the province as emergency rations during the last
three weeks.  The provincial Governor reported a further need for food
assistance to an additional 4,000 households in Ntega commune.  WFP is
reviewing this request and will soon assess the food security situation in
Ntega again.

(d)  Last week 145 returnees from Tanzania, arriving through transit
points at the border provinces of Muyinga, Ruyigi and Makamba, received
returnee packages. The number of returnees from Tanzania has significantly
reduced over the previous weeks. All returnees are entitled to receive a
WFP three-month return package. Current plans are for 2,000 returnees from
Tanzania per month.

(e)  Following a request for assistance to spontaneous returnees by
administrators in Rutana province, WFP teams visited the province and
found that 1,085 families had returned spontaneously from Tanzania to the
communes of Giharo, Rutana and Mpinga-Kayove, between January and
November, without having received returnee packages.

(f)  A hailstorm devastated farms in four communes of Ngozi province.
WFP will carry out a rapid assessment in the affected areas to determine
the impact of the hail on food security and to establish whether or not a
food assistance intervention is required and if so, what kind of
intervention is suitable.

(g)  The pipeline situation for the forthcoming months has started to
improve;  however, breaks are still expected for various food commodities
between November 2004 and February 2005.  WFP has been adjusting
distribution plans and using commodity substitutions to address the gaps
and ensure planned distributions to the extent possible.


2)  D.R. Congo

(a)  Persistent insecurity, including targeted murders, are still reported
in eastern DRC.  South Kivu province was in focus due to growing tensions
between government troops and various militia groups.  Humanitarian
activities in territories such as Uvira, Mwenga and Kabare were reduced.

(b)  WFP released a total of some 960 tons of food commodities from its
warehouses in Goma, Bukavu, Bunia and Kisangani to feed over 150,000
targeted beneficiaries under the Protracted Relief and Recovery Programme
(PRRO).  In Kisangani, sets of non-food items (NFIs) were provided to
several schools implementing school feeding activities with WFP support.

(c)  In North Kivu province, WFP, PRONANUT (the national body in charge of
nutrition issues) and health zones officials fielded an assessment mission
in various nutrition centres located between 9 and 10 kms from Goma. In
some nutrition centres, the team screened as many as 15 newly arrived
severely malnourished children.  According to the mothers of the newly
admitted, the poor nutritional status of their children resulted from: (i)
the "irresponsible behaviour"  of their husbands, who, although poor are
involved in polygamy or drunkenness, and (ii) lack of time to accompany
children to nutritional centres. The mothers had become the food providers
for the households and therefore cannot give adequate attention to the
child.  The assessment team concluded, among others, that further efforts
should be made to encourage mothers to bring their malnourished children
to nutritional centres.


3)  Eritrea

(a)  Eritrea's fuel crisis continues:  even with ration coupons, the
purchase of diesel has become a problem since most of the filling stations
have run out of stock. WFP's sub offices have been instructed to suspend
monitoring activities.  Food deliveries are authorized as normal; however,
the fuel shortages are resulting in delays in distribution.

(b)  Central and eastern parts of the country report adverse weather
conditions, further increasing food insecurity. The majority of residents
depend mainly on food aid. Cereal crops suffered from lack of rain during
the vegetative growth stages and crop residues are being utilized as
animal fodder.  Being worried about the shortage of animal fodder, farmers
have begun selling their livestock, especially cattle. The price per head
of cattle, which was 5,000 ? 6,000 Nakfa three months ago, has now dropped
to 3,500 ?  4,000 Nakfa (1USD = 13.55 Nakfa). Water for human and animal
consumption has become scarce. Areas with a sufficient water supply at
this time in "normal"  years are experiencing severe shortages. Many
depend on water trucking and prices per drum of water have nearly doubled.

(c)  Most of the areas in the eastern regions of the country remain dry,
despite the rainy season. The underground water levels have fallen sharply
and some water points have dried up. In addition, the sorghum planted in
some sub-regions is suffering from pest attacks, which are severely
damaging the crop.  The Ministry of Agriculture awaits the arrival of
pesticides which are expected before 30 November 2004.

(d)  In the south-western parts of the country water levels are above the
long-term average and WFP field staff report that water stored in dams
will last for several months. The harvest prospects in this region look
better. The late sorghum variety has reached the heading stage and other
varieties are at the maturity stage in many areas of this region. In
addition, the late chickpeas as well as other types of pulses are seen
growing in vast areas. In general, taff, sorghum and especially millet are
expected to have higher yields than last year. The FAO/WFP Crop and Food
Security Assessment Mission at present in Eritrea will quantify harvest
prospects.

(e)  The resourcing situation remains unchanged for both PRRO 10192.0,
Food Assistance to War and Drought affected Persons in Eritrea, and EMOP
10261.1 Emergency Food Assistance to Victims of Crop Failure in Eritrea
due to Drought. At 22 November, about 82,400 tons of food, worth USD 28.1
million, had been resourced under EMOP 10261.1 This represents 77 percent
of the total resource requirements for this operation. For PRRO 10192.0,
WFP mobilized 52,700 tons of food commodities valued at USD 26.8 million.
Thus, about 50 percent of the planned food requirements are covered.


4)  Ethiopia

(a)  The 2004 National Multi-agency Meher and Pastoral Area Emergency
Needs Assessment is coming to an end, with assessment teams returning from
the field today, 26 November. The purpose of this mission was to assess
the food security prospects for 2005 in both crop growing areas and
pastoral regions/zones of the country, in addition to identifying the
number of people who will require relief food assistance in 2005. A
federal level debriefing will be presented to the local humanitarian
community on 30 November, whilst regional level reports will be submitted
by beginning of December.  Any food needs additional to those covered by
the Productive Safety Net Program in 2005 will be addressed through
emergency food distributions.

(b)  The joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, currently
being undertaken countrywide, will conclude field visits on 28 November
and debriefing sessions will be held with partners in the capital during
the coming week. Final results from this mission are expected to be
released in January.

(c)  The Government's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission
(DPPC)  is currently allocating food rations for November to local
authorities.  A total of 34,000 tons of cereals, oil and blended food have
been allocated so far to Tigray, Afar, Southern Nations and Nationalities
People Region (SNNPR) and Oromia regions. Additional allocations to
Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions are underway.

(d)  For December, a total amount of 57,000 tons of food is required to
cover the beneficiary needs through relief assistance. While commodities
such as pulses, oil and blended food are fully covered for the rest of the
year, a pipeline break of 9,000 tons cereals will occur in December. Minor
carryover contributions of pulses, oil and blended food are expected for
2005.  Due to the lead-time necessary for procurement and delivery of
these commodities, pulses, oil and blended food have been scheduled ahead
of time to avoid pipeline breaks early next year.

(e)  Beneficiary figures for December 2004 stand at 2.8 million people,
which is a reduction from the peak month of August, when 7.8 million
people were in need of relief assistance. Beneficiary figures are usually
at its lowest this time of the year, as the major harvesting season is
being concluded.


5)  Kenya

(a)  WFP expects to provide relief food assistance to nearly 2.2 million
beneficiaries during the months of November and December under Emergency
Operation 10374.0, Food-Assistance to Drought-affected People in Kenya.
Food distributions are ongoing in all the drought affected districts.
However, there are some delays in food deliveries due to heavy rains,
which have cut off some roads especially in the northern and north-eastern
parts of Kenya.  The EMOP is only 62 percent resourced.  Due to resourcing
shortfalls and the late deliveries to Kenya, the operation has suffered
from an incomplete food basket and so far only maize has been distributed.
In November, CSB and vegetable oil are being distributed to only the worst
affected districts.

(b)  Nutritional assessments co-ordinated by UNICEF and carried out by
OXFAM Great Britain (GB) in Wajir District, and by the Ministry of Health
and UNICEF in Garissa District in October revealed exceptionally high
rates of child malnutrition. In Wajir West, the Global Acute Malnutrition
is 31.5 percent, whereas in Garissa District it is 16.5 percent.  In both
districts, 3.5 percent of the children are severely malnourished and in
need of immediate assistance. Preparations for a food security assessment
to be carried out in December in the pastoral drought-affected districts
are underway.  Food assessments in the marginal agricultural districts of
Eastern and Coast Provinces are planned for January 2005.

(c)  The condition of the Garrisa ? Dadaab road is deteriorating as a
result of the heavy rains.  WFP vehicles and trucks carrying WFP food to
Dadaab refugee camps continue to get stuck almost every week. This is not
only posing a security threat to WFP staff, since this area is in UN
Security Phase III, but is also delaying food deliveries to the camps.
Currently, there is not enough food in stock to cover the next
distribution, as trucks are not able to reach the camps. Furthermore, the
Garissa District Commissioner has issued a directive barring trucks with
over 10 tons of cargo from using the road. This will greatly affect the
operation in the refugee camps since WFP trucks carry over 30 tons.  WFP
is funding emergency road repairs on the Garissa - Dadaab road.


6)  Rwanda

(a)  The security situation remained calm in all camps in Rwanda during
the past week. During the past week there was an increase in the caseload
at Ngenda transit camp, from 952 to 1,148 Burundian refugees. In Kigeme
refugee camp, 40 refugees were repatriated. These changes brought the
total number of Burundian refugees in Rwanda to 2,688 after 58 people had
voluntarily returned to Burundi. With regard to Congolese refugees, a
total of 225 new arrivals were reported at Kiziba camp in Kibuye (186) and
Nkamira transit centre in Gisenyi province (39).  The total number of
refugees in Rwanda now stands at some 44,240 refugees in all three camps
and the four transit centres Negotiations to relocate all refugees
currently in transit centres to a more stable location are still under way
between UNHCR and the Ministry of Local Government.

(b)  WFP has distributed a one-month food ration to all refugees in camps
and transit centres.


7)  Somalia

(a)  Most parts of the country continue to experience heavy rains
resulting in floods with rivers breaking their banks, disrupting
livelihood systems and endangering communities. These floods are affecting
communities in both the north and south, which have had to cope with more
than three consecutive years of devastating droughts.

(b)  In Las Qoray, Sanag region in north Somalia, serious flash floods
combined with mudslides cut off road access and destroyed some 50 houses,
leaving hundreds of households in need of humanitarian assistance. WFP is
preparing for an emergency intervention together with UNICEF and local
NGOs.

(c)  In Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region in the south, floods have seriously
affected two-thirds of the town isolating some sections where the only
means of movement is by boat.  Moreover, in the rural areas of Jowhar,
floods are covering farmlands that had been prepared and are now rendered
untilled and inaccessible.  The coping mechanisms of the affected farmers
were over-stretched before the onset of the present crisis due to drought,
insecurity and lack of government institutions. Begging on the streets of
Jowhar and Mogadishu is increasing dramatically, while those left behind
are surviving on wild fruits, unripe mangos and bananas. WFP and UNICEF,
with support from local authorities, assessed the situation for possible
relief intervention.

(d)  Large areas of Juba Valley in southern Somalia have also been
flooded, with thousands of hectares of farmland covered by stagnant
floodwaters. A lot of farms and properties have been destroyed with loss
of crops and housing.  The districts most affected are Jamaame, Buale and
Marere.  According to a local residents, the Deyr rains (Sept. ? Dec.) not
only started early this year, but have been the heaviest reported in
years. The cause of the present crisis in Juba Valley is a combination of
protracted insecurity, marginalisation and recent flash floods caused by
heavy rains and overflow from the Juba River cutting off roads and
therefore stopping business activities between the towns and villages. WFP
has pre-positioned 824 tons for general relief distribution in the port
city of Kismayu, while transport to the lower Juba Valley is delayed due
to impassable muddy roads and the prevailing insecurity.

(e)  Despite the heavy rains and floods in most parts of the country, WFP
Somalia continued its emergency relief distributions targeting flood
victims in the northwest and northeast with some 550 tons of assorted food
commodities, reaching 26,000 beneficiaries in areas that have been heavily
affected by years of drought and that are now facing further massive
livestock losses.


8)  Sudan

(a)  Following the military actions by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and
Government of Sudan (GoS)  forces in and around Talwilah town in North
Darfur on 22 November, all WFP operations were suspended in this area and
UN staff and NGO personnel have been evacuated. Prior to the incidents,
reports indicated that there were ongoing clashes in the area around the
town between the GoS and SLA. As a consequence of the recent events and
the increasing insecurity, United Nations Security Co-ordination
(UNSECOORD) has suspended all UN activities in SLA areas. WFP operations
covered by WFP El Fasher Area Office (AO) have been put on hold, as all
corridors out of El Fasher are closed. Currently, WFP has six staff
members in the GoS held town, Kutum.

(b)  Total dispatches in November from AOs to distribution sites stand at
some 11,900 tons of food for an estimated 679,200 beneficiaries (based of
dispatches).  Dispatches from AOs to Cooperating Partners (CPs) indicate
that beneficiaries will receive a balanced and complete food basket in
November.  By 22 November, a total of over 19,565 tons of food had been
dispatched by road, rail and air from hubs in Khartoum and El Obeid to the
Darfur state capitals.

(c)  As a follow up to the GOAL nutrition survey carried out in Kutum,
North Darfur, a meeting was held between GAA, GOAL and WFP to discuss
possible reasons behind the high rates of malnutrition - Global Acute
Malnutrition (GAM)  23.9 percent and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) 1.7
percent.  The meeting pointed out that (i) the high incidence of diarrhoea
cases during the rainy season (August/September) prior to the survey in
October and (ii) the continuous population movement in the locations, were
some of the factors that had a direct impact to the high rates of
malnutrition.  The meeting agreed to undertake an inter-agency population
verification exercise and review population figures.

(d)  Confirmed contributions received to date against the current EMOP
amount to USD 181,095,475 representing 89 percent of the total requirement
(project ends 31 Dec 2004). For 2005, changes in ration sizes have been
incorporated to compensate for milling losses and to improve the iodine
deficiency among the beneficiaries. Thus, the amount of salt has increased
and sugar has been included in the general food distribution basket. The
majority of Special Operations (SOs) are fairly well funded (92 percent
resourced).  However, SO 10364.0, for the inter-agency security
telecommunications network, remains a concern. Currently, the SO has a 50
percent shortfall.  The lack of resources will result in a closure of the
project within a week.


9)  Uganda

(a)  Tentative moves towards talks between the Government of Uganda (GoU)
and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels continue. Although the
original one-week ceasefire expired on Monday evening 22 November, a
further one-week extension of a GoU ceasefire in a limited area of
northern Uganda is anticipated in order to provide rebel forces with an
opportunity to gather to discuss further steps towards dialogue. Some
rebel forces have moved into the designated 300 sq. mile ceasefire zone,
although others remain outside the zone in northern Uganda and in southern
Sudan.

(b)  Despite the renewed efforts towards peace, the security situation in
Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira districts remained unpredictable with a
number of ambushes and attacks on civilians. In one particularly gruesome
attack, the LRA abducted 11 civilians in Patiko sub-county, Gulu district
on 23 November and killed two.

(c)  WFP food distribution continues to reach over 1.4 million displaced
persons in over 135 crowded IDP camps in four districts; 154,000 refugees
in 66 settlements; and other vulnerable persons. During the period 8 to 13
November 2004, 3,460 tons of WFP food assistance were distributed to some
317,900 persons including IDPs sheltering in camps in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader
and Lira districts in the northern Uganda; refugees, school children and
other vulnerable persons.

(d)  Preliminary results of the WFP/UNICEF/Ministry of Health (MOH) August
nutrition assessment in the semi-pastoral Karamoja region indicate a
global acute malnutrition rate for children under five years of 18.7
percent in the three districts. This is above the critical 15 percent
level but is a slight improvement from 22 percent in May 2003.
Interventions beyond food assistance are required.  WFP will continue with
school feeding interventions as well as expand supplementary feeding for
vulnerable groups. WFP plans to commence targeted drought-relief
assistance in January 2005 in the most-affected sub-counties.

(e)  A WFP evaluation mission is presently in Uganda to review the
WFP/UNHCR pilot secondary food distribution operations in refugee-hosting
districts.

(f)  A Swedish mission visited WFP-assisted areas in Gulu and Lira
districts on 22 and 23 November. A donor mission of the Netherlands,
Danish and US ambassadors visited the West Nile region on 18 and 19
November 2004, together with the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and
Refugee Affairs and UNHCR Representative. The delegation visited
WFP-assisted projects in Arua, Adjumani and Moyo districts. The delegation
expressed appreciation for GoU's hospitality to Sudanese refugees over the
years and indicated that donors are willing to assist refugee-hosting
districts under the Development Assistance for Refugees programme.


D)  West Africa Region:  (1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Liberia

1)  Chad

(a)  The security situation in Chad remained tense. Chadian military
movements were reported in Eastern Chad, particularly around the Adre
border.  The military reportedly conducted searches for weapons and
communication equipment in Touloum. Due to intense military movement in
the Tine area, Government authorities are planning to transfer the Tine
market into Iriba. WFP is monitoring population movements in the Guereda
area due to alleged armed troop movements from Koulbous in Sudan.

(b)  In Amnabak camp, refugees reportedly attacked an Islamic organisation
that arrived to distribute its own food. The refugees expressed reluctance
and suspicion on whether the food is poisoned. One of the organisation's
workers was reportedly injured.  WFP and UNHCR were not aware of this
initiative and have strongly advised that any such action in favour of
refugees be conducted through the existing humanitarian forums.

(c)  Cases of Hepatitis E were reported by WHO in the refugee camps of Goz
Amir, Djabal, Treguine and Bredjing and also among local populations
living around the camps.  International NGOs managing the camps plan to
launch a campaign to inform refugees and local residents about hygiene and
sanitation.

(d)  A Sudanese delegation led by the Minister of Environment visited
Iriba at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and was due to
visit Iridimi, Amnabak and Touloum refugee camps. Due to tension in the
camps, Iriba authorities advised the delegation to stay and meet with the
three camps' representatives there. Iridimi representatives however
refused to join the talks.

(e)  The estimated caseload reported by UNHCR at 23 November stands at
197,600 refugees.  This consists of some 195,000 refugees registered in
camps, and some 2,600 located at border sites. UNHCR plans to conduct a
formal registration of refugees, and WFP and partners will be fully
involved in the exercise.

(f)  WFP, under Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10327.0, Emergency Assistance
to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad, has started the second General Food
Distribution cycle for November, and has so far distributed some 205 tons
of reduced general food rations to over 30,625 beneficiaries. The next
Blanket Supplementary Food distributions will begin this week, with
reduced rations planned exceptionally for November. Some 1,700 tons of
sorghum are expected to arrive from Nigeria this week.

(g)  WFP UN Humanitarian Air Services delivered approximately one ton of
ICT equipment for UNHCR from N'Djamena to Abeche this week. The first
regional flight on the N'Djamena-Yaounde-Bangui routing took place on 20
November.

(h)  The Rapid Emergency Food Needs Assessment Mission in Eastern Chad has
been completed.


2)  Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  France now has almost 5,000 peacekeepers in the country: 1,000 of
them are new reinforcements brought in from neighbouring countries.  The
airport in Abidjan has been returned to civilian authorities, although the
French forces continue to ensure security.

(b)  All WFP sub-offices in Cote d'Ivoire are open.  However,
distributions are still constrained by the security situation.  Access
problems feared in crossing the buffer zone from south to north have not
materialized, and WFP is able to transport commodities without major
incident and in coordination with the Ivorian army civil-military liaison
authorities. WFP's humanitarian air service operation has suspended
flights to Man until further notice, due to harassment of the crew and
passengers by armed elements of the Forces Nouvelles on 25 November.

(c)  From 19 to 25 November, 125 tons of various food commodities were
distributed to over 4,800 people.

(d)  An assessment mission is being carried out on the Liberian border
near Zouan-Hounien and Bin Houye and in the area between Man and Guiglo to
evaluate the humanitarian situation and population movements.


3)  Liberia

(a)  UNHCR stated that at 21st November approximately 10,000 registered
Ivorian refugees had crossed into Liberia. WFP has airlifted 50 tons of
food through UNMIL helicopters to the area, and will start food
distribution as soon as UNHCR completes its verification process.

(b)  Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees continue to return
to counties declared safe by UNMIL and the National Transition Government.
Between 16 and 23 November, a total of 1,276 IDPs were resettled to their
preferred places of return in three convoys

(c)  From 17 to 23 November, 1,850 tons of food were distributed to
196,000 beneficiaries.  The food pipeline continues to face critical
shortages, and since June, WFP has been forced to distribute reduced
rations to refugees, returnees and IDPs receiving WFP support.

(d)  During the past week, WFP held a series of planning meetings with
various partners for the planned Bomi County Nutrition and Food Security
survey. The survey will provide baseline data on health & nutrition and
the food security situation in the county, in order to assist the planning
and proper targeting of aid interventions and to allow proper impact
assessment in future.

(e)  New contributions continue to be needed in order for WFP to be able
to provide full rations and complete programmes in the coming months.



E)  Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Malawi,
(5) Mozambique, (6) Namibia, (7) Swaziland, (8) Zimbabwe

1)  Regional

(a)  WFP is urgently approaching donors to secure cash contributions for
local and regional procurement of food for the first months of the
regional PRRO 10310, Assistance to Populations in Southern Africa
Vulnerable to Food Insecurity and the Impact of AIDS.  WFP plans to reach
a peak of 2.8 million beneficiaries in 2005, including 510,000 in Lesotho,
1.17 million in Malawi and 165,000 in Swaziland who require short-term
emergency aid until the first half of the year, due to drought.

(b)  Seasonal rainfall has started in many parts of the region, with heavy
falls in Angola and more sporadic conditions further south and east in the
region.


2)  Angola

(a)  Since the inception of Angola's PRRO 10054.2, Support to Return and
Resettlement, in April this year, WFP has assisted with the repatriation
of 49,000 refugees from Zambia and Namibia. An additional 3,000 are
scheduled for repatriation by early December.

(b)  The PRRO requires about USD 60 million, equivalent to 90,000 tons, to
meet food distribution requirements through December 2005.


3)  Lesotho

(a)  From 17 to 23 November, WFP and its partners distributed 940 tons of
food to 76,000 vulnerable people, including households affected by
HIV/AIDS.


4)  Malawi

(a)  According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS-Net),
Malawi could be facing a 'price famine', due to the impact of rising
commodity prices on its vulnerable population.

(b)  The report warned that the situation could turn out to be worse than
in the crisis of 2001, since the state grain distributor, ADMARC, has just
increased its maize price by 70 percent at a time when the local market
prices are already extremely high.  Private traders are likely to raise
their prices in response, leaving more families unable to purchase enough
food.  In addition, rural incomes have fallen due to the poor harvest and
a lack of seasonal agricultural employment opportunities.

(c)  WFP is aiming to assist 1.17 million people in Malawi in the first
quarter of 2005. However, resource shortfalls mean that WFP Malawi starts
the new year with no cereal stocks, apart from grain, which is currently
being procured using a USD 7 million advance from WFP's Immediate Response
Account.


5)  Mozambique

(a)  WFP plans to provide 12,000 tons of food to 350,000 vulnerable people
in the first quarter of 2005.  The Programme continues to closely monitor
food insecurity, particularly in drought-affected areas in the coastal
areas of Nampula Province and in the central and southern provinces.


6)  Namibia

(a)  About 8,000 orphans and vulnerable children received WFP food from 17
to 23 November.  The children are located in four northern regions
bordering Angola, where HIV prevalence rates go up to 40 percent.


7)  Swaziland

(a)  WFP concluded the local purchase of some 1,800 tons of maize worth
USD 365,000 from the National Maize Corporation for the emergency
operations in Swaziland.


8)  Zimbabwe

(a)  Economic conditions continue to deteriorate in Zimbabwe, particularly
affecting low income earners and the large number of unemployed.  The
latest market price of maize in Harare is ZIM$13.00 per kg (equivalent to
USD 153/ton at the prevailing parallel market rate).  This represents an
increase of 64 percent from the seasonal low in June 2004.  In Masvingo
town, in Zimbabwe's south-east, there has been a 180 percent increase
since the June seasonal low, and the current prevailing price is ZIM$1600
per kg. A further indicator of economic disruption is the disparity
between the parallel market and Government auction rates for foreign
exchange. The disparity has widened to 50 percent by mid-November,
compared with near parity when the current system of forex auctions was
introduced in January this year.



F)  Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Indonesia

1)  Bangladesh

(a)  The lean season is coming to a close in some parts of Bangladesh, as
harvesting of Aman-paddy crop begins and offers labour opportunities.
There are conflicting reports of both good and poor harvests in some
areas. Temperatures continue to drop, with night-time temperatures
reaching mid-teens (centigrade)

(b)  Under the Vulnerable Group Rehabilitation component of EMOP 10380,
Assistance to Flood Affected People in Bangladesh, free food distributions
amounting to over 19,070 tons, have been completed for the month of
November.  Distribution for December is unlikely to be carried out due to
shortage of resources.

(c)  Since September, a total of 600,000 primary school children have been
receiving high energy biscuits, and the monthly utilization is around 1000
tons.

(d)  Preparations for the implementation of the EMOP's Supplementary
Feeding Programme are almost finalized; food distributions are scheduled
to begin by 15 December.

(e)  The Government of Bangladesh provided a contribution of about 135
tons of vegetable oil.  A one-off distribution of the vegetable oil, to
about 330,000 beneficiaries, is in progress.

(f)  WFP received a confirmation of a USD 1 million contribution for the
EMOP's Rural Livelihoods and Infrastructure Rehabilitation component
(food-for-work).  However, the overall resourcing level of the EMOP
remains largely inadequate, representing only 32 percent of the total
needs.


2)  DPR Korea

(a)  All 19 Local Food Production factories were operational from 20 to 26
November.  However, monitoring of the CMB factory in Huichon was not
possible due to the inaccessibility of Chagang province. Production for
the third week of November was over 1,400 tons, which is equivalent to the
EMOP weekly requirement.

(b)  With the recent arrival of large contributions, WFP is now able to
feed the entire caseload of 6,5 million beneficiaries for the first time
in 2 years.  Substantive new pledges will allow WFP to continue this
support through May 2005, with the exception of oil that will run out as
early as January for some beneficiary groups.


3)  Indonesia

(a)  Following Indonesia's first democratic elections, Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla were inaugurated as the President and
Vice-President respectively, of the Republic of Indonesia.  They will each
serve a five-year term.

(b)  After a year of relative peace, a violent communal conflict erupted
again on 9 October in Aralle District, Mamasa regency, West Sulawesi
Province, leaving scores of homes and a church burned. The renewed
conflict began to flare up on 7 October when minor clashes occurred
between those who supported and those who opposed a split of Polewali
Mamasa into 2 regencies, Polewali Mamasa and Mamasa.

(c)  The Government of Indonesia's ban on rice imports is still in force.
WFP has received exemptions, from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, for
all its shipments, constituting 19,675 tons, which will arrive before the
end of this year.

(d)  In October, approximately 1.16 million beneficiaries, under the
various PRRO and pilot activities, received WFP food assistance amounting
to some 2,525 tons.  Due to the lengthy process of customs clearance
(exemption from the rice import ban), the Subsidized Rice Program (OPSM)
distribution was not conducted until the last two weeks of October. WFP
held follow-up meetings with the central and district Governments to
socialize the objective and action plans under the OPSM phase out plan
which will start in January 2005 in West Java.

(e)  A total of 84 tons of biscuits, and some 24 tons of fried and dried
noodles were released for distribution to cover the requests for the
Posyandu programme and the School Feeding Programme in September-October.

(f)  With respect to the Posyandu Programme, the first draft report of the
baseline study was presented by PUSKA to the University of Indonesia. The
results showed that the targeting of the Posyandu Programme is appropriate
for children under five, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Bogor
district and Tangerang district show the highest percentage of stunting,
wasting and those severely underweight, due to a lack of access to food
and a lack of education.

(g)  The preliminary result of the School Feeding Baseline Survey was
presented by the Indonesian research institution SEOMEO. Though the study
was conducted among rather healthier children, the rates of malnutrition
were high (stunting 31 percent on average). Worm infestation was very high
in Tangerang (86 percent), but low in Jakarta (15 percent) because of the
de-worming campaign

(h)  Under the Vulnerable Groups Support component of the PRRO, Amon, WFP
distributed rice amounting to 25 tons to assist some 4,760 TB patients
under the pilot project areas. WFP also started the first distributions of
biscuits and noodles to schools and posyandus under the Pilot Nutrition
Rehabilitation Programme at the end of September/early October. In order
to prepare for the expansion phase starting in January 2005, a series of
meetings took place with the potential NGO partners. TB as well as
Posyandu and School Programme under the Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme
(NRP) were presented to the partners requesting their operational
proposals and budgets.  Makassar was visited to select the priority areas
and confirm beneficiary numbers.  WFP is looking for potential local NGOs
to partner with.  During an official ceremony weight and height scales
donated by Japanese insurance firm, Tokio Marine, were provided to
Posyandu representatives at Kapuk school in Tangerang on 13 October.

(i)  WFP provided emergency response food distributions, most of them
under food-for-work schemes, in Maluku, Central Sulawesi, East Java and
West Timor.

(j)  Thirty-nine pre-proposals for Community Development Projects (CDP)
are with NGOs for finalization, and 10 proposals are with the national
development planning agency Bappenas for final approval.  A total of 38
projects have been completed since the start of the CDP program in
December 2002.

(k)  WFP's vulnerability data validation process was completed and
analysis and mapping was initiated. Some 265 districts will be included in
the analysis. The release of the Food Insecurity Atlas is scheduled for
mid December.  In addition, WFP prepared the Poverty Map and Nutrition
Status regarding children under five, pregnant women and lactating mothers
in South Sulawesi, in order to support programme expansion to that area

(l)  Box Magazine, a publication which supports children's charities
through its subscription revenues, launched its first Indonesian edition.
WFP has been selected as one of its recipients to receive financial
support.


G)  Latin America and the Caribbean:  (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia, (4)
Haiti, (5) Nicaragua.

1)  Bolivia

(a)  The drought affected El Chaco region has little water left in the
reservoirs and the livestock situation is getting worse, many are dying.
Affected families are waiting for the rain to dampen their fields in order
to start sowing.

(b)  The civic committees of El Alto city are announcing a strike for an
indefinite time, starting on Monday 29 November, asking for the
termination of contracts with water and electricity international
suppliers.

(c)  Emergency food distributions from WFP's Immediate Response Account
were completed in the Department of Chuquisaca last week, benefiting some
6,800 families.  A total of 525 tons, representing 90 percent of the
programmed tonnage, has already been distributed to about 8,630 families.
It is expected that one of these days follow-up EMOP 10392.0 will start.

(d)  WFP is continuously holding meetings with the international donor
community in order to mobilize resources for EL Chaco drought response
EMOP 10392.0.  The beneficiary communities of El Chaco insisted to use the
received food assistance as an incentive to carry out
Food-for-Work/Food-for-Training activities, and only to use general
distributions for families that are unable to work or to attend training
events.  They are undertaking activities of land reclamation, water
reservoirs reparation, road improvement, potable water systems reparation
and communal vegetable gardens construction.


2)  Colombia

(a)  Heavy rains throughout the country have caused floods and landslides
in Colombia, leaving some 20 people dead and over 334,000 homeless in 25
of the 32 provinces since September.  A volcanic eruption in the province
of Narino, southwest Colombia, sent smoke and ash into the sky and
triggered safety planning for neighboring villagers. Official reports on
last week's earthquake note some 6.275 affected people in 10
municipalities in two provinces; at least 439 houses and 9 schools were
destroyed.

(b)  Urban displacement in Colombia is on the rise, according to the
Colombian Government's Human Rights Ombudsperson, particularly in the
cities of Bogota, Medellin and Barrancabermeja.  In two separate events,
13 people who were kidnapped by an illegal armed group in the province of
Choco were released by their captors.  Colombia's right-wing illegal armed
groups have begun to demobilize a large number of their illegal rebels.

(c)  A total of over 260 tons of food were delivered last week in the
context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by Violence. The
food was distributed in 11 provinces reaching some 39,080 people.  The
commodities were distributed in Pre-School and School Feeding activities,
Community Kitchens and Food for Work activities.


3)  Haiti

(a)  The entire country remains in UN security phase III. Violence
increased in specific sensitive areas of Port-au-Prince.  Stores were
damaged and shooting incidents and kidnappingstook place. The security
situation improved in Gonaives, thanks to an increase in MINUSTAH and
Haitian National Police patrols. However some tensions remain, due to the
authorities' intention to arrest an armed group leader, legally accused of
the murder of a young girl in Gonaives. The leader's partisans blocked
streets and burned tires in the Roboteau area.

(b)  The overall situation in the rest of the country remained stable with
some burnt tires and roadblocks registered in St Marc.  Demonstrators were
reacting to the Government's decision to ban as of 1 December main imports
(namely of refrigerated goods)  through provincial ports. The Government
responded by announcing that it would reschedule its decision to 1 January
2005.

(c)  During the past week, WFP food convoys have continued to reach
Gonaives without any incidents. However, security measures, such as better
coordination between involved UN agencies and aid organizations, have been
increased.  Over 115 tons of food commodities were distributed by WFP's
implementing partner CARE to some 40,205 beneficiaries in localities that
had been heavily impacted by the inundations, located on the outskirts of
the city of Gonaives.  Distributions were held in up to 17 distribution
sites, such as schools, health centres, shelters, orphanages, NGOs, and
town halls, per day. General distributions have been replaced by targeted
distributions in Gonaives now.The total of food distributed in Gonaives
and its outskirts since the onset of the crisis is about 2,295 tons, while
the total of food distributed in other affected areas is over 165 tons.

(d)  Also during the past week, some 257 tons of food were distributed
under the regular programmes, to health centres (EMOP and CP) and schools
(CP)  in the West, North and North-East departments. A modified ration was
used to accommodate in-country available stocks (CER reduced and CSB
increased).

(e)  Training for implementing partners in school feeding and de-worming
activities was carried out in Cap Haitien, Ouanaminthe, and Pignon.


4)  Nicaragua

(a)  The prices of beans fell this week after a dramatic rise in prices
over the last couple of weeks, as the, reportedly good, second harvest
(Postrera)  is beginning to be marketed this and coming weeks. However,
the Mesoamerican Food Security Early Warning System (MFEWS) reported
reduced soil humidity in North-eastern Nicaragua, which could reduce the
harvest. WFP is monitoring the situation.

(b)  Food distributions under PRRO 10212.0 continue. Currently, under the
PRRO, a total of some 67,465 school children are being assisted in the
autonomous region RAAN and about 11,495 school children in the
municipality of Matagalpa. In addition, some 10,025 vulnerable children
under 2 years of age;  about 8,730 expectant and nursing women and 2,000
poor rural families are also being assisted in the northern and central
region of the country.

(c)  PRRO 10212.0 will face shortfalls through April 2005, beginning in
January, of rice (470 tons); in March, of beans (280 tons), of vegetable
oil (130 tons) and maize (570 tons). If no commodities are announced in
the coming months, or those that are announced arrive late, the PRRO will
face serious pipeline breaks during the second quarter of next year.


Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons (MT).

END WFP Emergency Report No. 48, 2004



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